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Department for Transport figures show that younger drivers are up to seven times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads compared with those over 25.

It is believed that their lack of experience is an important factor.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) chief driving examiner, Lesley Young, said: “The new test will help prepare new drivers for driving on modern roads and support a reduction in the number of young people killed or seriously injured.”

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Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, commented: “Coming up with revisions to the driving test that better reflect the real world challenges of driving in traffic must be a good move.”

Road Safety GB chair Sonya Hurt said: “Modern vehicles feature an increasing array of driver assist technology, and as such it is sensible and realistic to test the candidate’s ability to use a sat nav system.

“We also welcome the fact that the new regime will allow test candidates more time on the rural road network, where the consequences of inexperience can be particularly devastating.”

Adrian Long, DVSA director of people, communications & engagement, said: “PCS’s desperate claim that changes to the driving test will cause examiners to work longer and harder is simply not true.

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“In the last year we’ve recruited more than 320 extra driving examiners - reducing waiting times to an average of seven weeks across the country. It’s also significantly reduced the number of times we ask examiners to work at other centres – 1.5 days on average in the last four months.

“This means that we are not asking examiners to travel an extra day each week as PCS claim.

“DVSA has met with PCS more than 40 times to try to solve this dispute but, despite our best efforts – including an offer of mediation – PCS has stuck to its unreasonable demands.

“The possibility of constructive discussions has been made even harder by their strike action.”

The four big changes - what are the new rules?

1. More independent driving

The current 10 minutes of independent driving will be increased to 20 minutes using a satnav OR traffic signs.

The examiner will decide if road signs or sat nav will be used for this part of the test.

2. Using a satnav

You might have spotted that in the previous section - the satnav is being introduced to the driving test.

The equipment will be provided and set by the examiner and all will use a standardised TomTom Start 52 model.

Four in five people doing their driving test will be asked to use the satnav.

3. Changes to manoeuvre

Currently, you’ll be asked to demonstrate one of four manoeuvres on your driving test.

From December 4, the ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvre will no longer be tested - although the DVSA say you should still be taught them by your instructor.

That means you’ll be tested on one of the following three manoeuvres: parallel park at the side of the road; park in a bay - either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out; pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic.

4. ‘Show me, tell me’ questions

The ‘show me’ and ‘tell me’ questions about car safety will change slightly.

You’ll still be asked the ‘tell me’ question at the start of the test but the ‘show me’ question will be asked during the test - for example, demonstrating you know how to use the windscreen wipers.